I’m writing to tell you about a little gal named, Abbi. I met her Mom & Dad, Delicia & Chris Brown years ago when they brought their first daughter, Nadia, (now 6) for photos. You all may have seen Nadia as she highlighted many of my promotional materials for years.

Nadia

Nadia has several sisters now in 2014… Abriella 3, her twin Elliana 3, and Aliza 1. This story is about Abriella, “Abbi.”

She has been diagnosed with Mitochondrial Disease. I’ve never heard of it, have you? Today, we’re being educated by her Mom, who kindly shared in easy terms how this affects her daughter.

“Mitochondrial disease is a group of neuromuscular diseases caused by damage to mitochondria. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of our body, they produce energy from food. When damaged it’s not able to produce the energy. Every cell has mitochondria, so every organ can be affected by the mitochondrial disease. Mitochondrial disease has no cure, no treatments, and is progressive so therefore considered terminal. There are hundreds of mitochondrial diseases. Abbi has a very progressive one called Leigh’s disease. It has affected Abbi’s brain, brain stem and muscles. And now they believe its affecting her respiratory system. Abbi is currently fighting respiratory failure.”

Now, this story is going to become about You and I, and the reason we weren’t placed on this Earth by ourselves. Why we get on Facebook, Twitter, etc and read about each other and post about ourselves… because we’re social beings filled with compassion, kindness and love… not always, but a lot of time. We have a opportunity to make a difference- even if it’s in the slightest way to reach out to this little girl and her family. So we are!

Now it’s an opportunity for all of us to “reach out” on February 23, 2014 at Grovedale Winery in Wyalusing, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grovedale-Winery/113188522089989, where you can schedule a Mini Photo Session, buy a baked good, snag a raffle for all kinds of things from gift baskets to hunting gear or just lend a hug to the Brown Family. If you have an idea you want to add to the event, want to make a donation to the Brown Family or you just want more information, check it out on Facebook at either Brie Homer Photography or The Camera’s Eye Studio or drop me a line: lisamcqueeney@gmail.com or directly through my website: http://www.thecameraseye.biz